17 TH MILLER/SPOOLMAN LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chapter 16 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Core Case Study: Amory Lovins and The Rocky Mountain Institute (1) Amory Lovins, energy analyst Rocky Mountain Institute Nonprofit and nonpartisan Research and consulting on energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy Consults with 80 major corporations and 50 foreign countries

Core Case Study: Amory Lovins and The Rocky Mountain Institute (2) Location: Snowmass, CO (U.S.) No conventional heating system Heating bills: <$50/year How is this possible?

Sustainable Energy: Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, U.S. Fig. 16-1, p. 397

16-1 Why Is Energy Efficiency an Important Energy Resource? Concept 16-1 Improving energy efficiency can save the world at least a third of the energy it uses, and it can save the United States up to 43% of the energy it uses.

We Waste Huge Amounts of Energy (1) Energy efficiency Advantages of reducing energy waste: Quick and clean Usually the cheapest to provide more energy Reduce pollution and degradation Slow global warming Increase economic and national security

We Waste Huge Amounts of Energy (2) Four widely used devices that waste energy 1.Incandescent light bulb 2.Motor vehicle with internal combustion engine 3.Nuclear power plant 4.Coal-fired power plant

Flow of Commercial Energy through the U.S. Economy Fig. 16-2, p. 399

Advantages of Reducing Energy Waste Fig. 16-3, p. 399

16-2 How Can We Cut Energy Waste? Concept 16-2 We have a variety of technologies for sharply increasing the energy efficiency of industrial operations, motor vehicles, and buildings.

We Can Save Energy and Money in Industry and Utilities (1) Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) Two forms of energy from same fuel source Replace energy-wasting electric motors Recycling materials Switch from low-efficiency incandescent lighting to higher-efficiency fluorescent and LED lighting

LEDs Fig. 16-4, p. 401

We Can Save Energy and Money in Industry and Utilities (2) Electrical grid system: outdated and wasteful Utility companies switching from promote use of energy to promoting energy efficiency Spurred by state utility commissions

Case Study: Saving Energy and Money with a Smarter Electrical Grid Smart grid Ultra-high-voltage Super-efficient transmission lines Digitally controlled Responds to local changes in demand and supply Two-way flow of energy and information Smart meters show consumers how much energy each appliance uses U.S cost -- $200-$800 billion; save $100 billion/year

Proposed U.S. Smart Grid Figure 20, Supplement 8

We Can Save Energy and Money in Transportation Corporate average fuel standards (CAFE) standards Fuel economy standards lower in the U.S. countries Fuel-efficient cars are on the market Hidden prices in gasoline: $12/gallon Car manufacturers and oil companies lobby to prevent laws to raise fuel taxes Should there be a feebate?

Average Fuel Economy of New Vehicles Sold in the U.S. and Other Countries Fig. 16-5, p. 402

More Energy-Efficient Vehicles Are on the Way Superefficient and ultralight cars Gasoline-electric hybrid car Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle Energy-efficient diesel car Electric vehicle with a fuel cell

Solutions: A Hybrid-Gasoline-Electric Engine Car and a Plug-in Hybrid Car Fig. 16-6, p. 403

Light-Weight Carbon Composite Concept Car Fig. 16-7, p. 405

Science Focus: The Search for Better Batteries Current obstacles Storage capacity Overheating Flammability Cost In the future Lithium-ion battery Viral battery Ultracapacitor

We Can Design Buildings That Save Energy and Money Green architecture Living or green roofs Superinsulation U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

A Green Roof in Chicago Fig. 16-8, p. 405

We Can Save Money and Energy in Existing Buildings (1) Conduct an energy survey Insulate and plug leaks Use energy-efficient windows Stop other heating and cooling losses Heat houses more efficiently

We Can Save Money and Energy in Existing Buildings (2) Heat water more efficiently Use energy-efficient appliances Use energy-efficient lighting

A Thermogram Shows Heat Loss Fig. 16-9, p. 406

Individuals Matter: Ways in Which You Can Save Money Where You Live Fig , p. 407

Why Are We Still Wasting So Much Energy? Energy remains artificially cheap Government subsidies Tax breaks Prices don’t include true cost Few large and long-lasting incentives Tax breaks Rebates Low-interest loans

We Can Use Renewable Energy to Provide Heat and Electricity Renewable energy Solar energy: direct or indirect Geothermal energy Benefits of shifting toward renewable energy Renewable energy cheaper if we eliminate Inequitable subsidies Inaccurate prices Artificially low pricing of nonrenewable energy

16-3 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy? Concept 16-3 Passive and active solar heating systems can heat water and buildings effectively, and the costs of using direct sunlight to produce high- temperature heat and electricity are coming down.

We Can Heat Buildings and Water with Solar Energy Passive solar heating system Active solar heating system

Solutions: Passive and Active Solar Heating for a Home Fig , p. 409

Passive Solar Home in Colorado Fig , p. 410

Rooftop Solar Hot Water on Apartment Buildings in Kunming, China Fig , p. 410

Trade-Offs: Passive or Active Solar Heating Fig , p. 411

World Availability of Direct Solar Energy Figure 22, Supplement 8

U.S. Availability of Direct Solar Energy Figure 23, Supplement 8

We Can Cool Buildings Naturally Technologies available Open windows when cooler outside Use fans Superinsulation and high-efficiency windows Overhangs or awnings on windows Light-colored roof Geothermal pumps

We Can Use Sunlight to Produce High- Temperature Heat and Electricity Solar thermal systems Central receiver system Collect sunlight to boil water, generate electricity 1% of world deserts could supply all the world’s electricity Require large amounts of water – could limit Wet cooling Dry cooling Low net energy yields

Solar Thermal Power in California Desert Fig , p. 411

Trade-Offs: Solar Energy for High Temperature Heat and Electricity Fig , p. 412

Solutions: Solar Cooker in India Fig , p. 412

We Can Use Sunlight to Produce Electricity (1) Photovoltaic (PV) cells (solar cells) Convert solar energy to electric energy Design of solar cells Sunlight hits cells and releases electrons into wires Benefits of using solar cells Solar-cell power plants around the world

Solutions: Solar Cells on Rooftop and for Many Purposes Fig , p. 413

Solar Cell Array in Niger, West Africa Fig , p. 413

Solar-Cell Power Plant in Arizona Fig , p. 414

We Can Use Sunlight to Produce Electricity (2) Key problems High cost of producing electricity Need to be located in sunny desert areas Fossil fuels used in production Solar cells contain toxic materials Will the cost drop with Mass production New designs Government subsidies and tax breaks

We Can Use Sunlight to Produce Electricity (3) 2040: could solar cells produce 16%? Nanosolar: California (U.S.) Germany: huge investment in solar cell technology General Electric: entered the solar cell market

Global Production of Solar Electricity Figure 11, Supplement 9

Trade-Offs: Solar Cells Fig , p. 414

16-4 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Hydropower Concept 16-4 We can use water flowing over dams, tidal flows, and ocean waves to generate electricity, but environmental concerns and limited availability of suitable sites may limit the use of these energy resources.

We Can Produce Electricity from Falling and Flowing Water Hydropower Uses kinetic energy of moving water Indirect form of solar energy World’s leading renewable energy source used to produce electricity Advantages and disadvantages Micro-hydropower generators

Tradeoffs: Dams and Reservoirs Fig , p. 328

Trade-Offs: Large-Scale Hydropower, Advantages and Disadvantages Fig , p. 415

Tides and Waves Can Be Used to Produce Electricity Produce electricity from flowing water Ocean tides and waves So far, power systems are limited Disadvantages Few suitable sites High costs Equipment damaged by storms and corrosion

16-5 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Wind Power? Concept 16-5 When we include the environmental costs of using energy resources in the market prices of energy, wind power is the least expensive and least polluting way to produce electricity.

Using Wind to Produce Electricity Is an Important Step toward Sustainability (1) Wind: indirect form of solar energy Captured by turbines Converted into electrical energy Second fastest-growing source of energy What is the global potential for wind energy? Wind farms: on land and offshore

World Electricity from Wind Energy Figure 12, Supplement 9

Solutions: Wind Turbine and Wind Farms on Land and Offshore Fig , p. 417

Wind Turbine Fig , p. 417

Using Wind to Produce Electricity Is an Important Step toward Sustainability (2) Countries with the highest total installed wind power capacity Germany United States Spain India Denmark Installation is increasing in several other countries

Using Wind to Produce Electricity Is an Important Step toward Sustainability (3) Advantages of wind energy Drawbacks Windy areas may be sparsely populated – need to develop grid system to transfer electricity Winds die down; need back-up energy Storage of wind energy Kills migratory birds “Not in my backyard”

Trade-Offs: Wind Power Fig , p. 418

Case Study: The Astounding Potential of Wind Power in the United States “Saudi Arabia of wind power” North Dakota South Dakota Kansas Texas How much electricity is possible with wind farms in those states? Could create up to 500,000 jobs

United States Wind Power Potential Figure 24, Supplement 8

16-6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Biomass as an Energy Source Concept 16-6A Solid biomass is a renewable resource for much of the world’s population, but burning it faster than it is replenished produces a net gain in atmospheric greenhouse gases, and creating biomass plantations can degrade soil biodiversity. Concept 16-6B We can use liquid biofuels derived from biomass in place of gasoline and diesel fuels, but creating biofuel plantations can degrade soil and biodiversity and increase food prices and greenhouse gas emissions.

We Can Get Energy by Burning Solid Biomass Biomass Plant materials and animal waste we can burn or turn into biofuels Production of solid mass fuel Plant fast-growing trees Biomass plantations Collect crop residues and animal manure Advantages and disadvantages

Trade-Offs: Solid Biomass Fig , p. 420

We Can Convert Plants and Plant Wastes to Liquid Biofuels (1) Liquid biofuels Biodiesel Ethanol Biggest producers of biofuel The United States Brazil The European Union China

We Can Convert Plants and Plant Wastes to Liquid Biofuels (2) Major advantages over gasoline and diesel fuel produced from oil 1.Biofuel crops can be grown almost anywhere 2.No net increase in CO 2 emissions if managed properly 3.Available now

We Can Convert Plants and Plant Wastes to Liquid Biofuels (3) Studies warn of problems: Decrease biodiversity Increase soil degrading, erosion, and nutrient leaching Push farmers off their land Raise food prices Reduce water supplies, especially for corn and soy

Case Study: Is Biodiesel the Answer? Biodiesel production from vegetable oil from various sources 95% produced by the European Union Subsidies promote rapid growth in United States Advantages and disadvantages

Trade-Offs: Biodiesel Fig , p. 421

Case Study: Is Ethanol the Answer? (1) Ethanol from plants and plant wastes Brazil produces ethanol from sugarcane Environmental consequences United States: ethanol from corn Low net energy yield Reduce the need for oil imports? Harm food supply Air pollution and climate change?

Case Study: Is Ethanol the Answer? (2) Cellulosic ethanol: alternative to corn ethanol Switchgrass Crop residues Municipal wastes Advantages and disadvantages

World Ethanol Production Figure 13, Supplement 9

Bagasse is Sugarcane Residue Fig , p. 421

Natural Capital: Rapidly Growing Switchgrass Fig , p. 423

Trade-Offs: Ethanol Fuel Fig , p. 423

Case Study: Getting Gasoline and Diesel Fuel from Algae and Bacteria (1) Algae remove CO 2 and convert it to oil Not compete for cropland = not affect food prices Wastewater/sewage treatment plants Could transfer CO 2 from power plants Algae challenges 1.Need to lower costs 2.Open ponds vs. bioreactors 3.Affordable ways of extracting oil 4.Scaling to large production

Case Study: Getting Gasoline and Diesel Fuel from Algae and Bacteria (2) Bacteria: synthetic biology Convert sugarcane juice to biodiesel Need large regions growing sugarcane Producing fuels from algae and bacteria can be done almost anywhere

16-7 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy? Concept 16-7 Geothermal energy has great potential for supplying many areas with heat and electricity, and it has a generally low environmental impact, but sites where it can be used economically are limited.

Getting Energy from the Earth’s Internal Heat (1) Geothermal energy: heat stored in Soil Underground rocks Fluids in the earth’s mantle Geothermal heat pump system Energy efficient and reliable Environmentally clean Cost effective to heat or cool a space

Natural Capital: A Geothermal Heat Pump System Can Heat or Cool a House Fig , p. 425

Getting Energy from the Earth’s Internal Heat (2) Hydrothermal reservoirs U.S. is the world’s largest producer Hot, dry rock Geothermal energy problems High cost of tapping hydrothermal reservoirs Dry- or wet-steam geothermal reservoirs could be depleted Could create earthquakes

Geothermal Sites in the United States Figure 26, Supplement 8

Geothermal Sites Worldwide Figure 25, Supplement 8

Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland Fig , p. 425

Trade Offs: Geothermal Energy Fig , p. 426

16-8 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Hydrogen as an Energy Source Concept 16-8 Hydrogen fuel holds great promise for powering cars and generating electricity, but for it to be environmentally beneficial, we would have to produce it without the use of fossil fuels.

Will Hydrogen Save Us? (1) Hydrogen as a fuel Eliminate most of the air pollution problems Reduce threats of global warming Some challenges Chemically locked in water and organic compounds = net negative energy yield Expensive fuel cells are the best way to use hydrogen CO 2 levels dependent on method of hydrogen production

Will Hydrogen Save Us? (2) Net negative energy yield Production and storage of H 2 Hydrogen-powered vehicles: prototypes available Can we produce hydrogen on demand? Larger fuel cells – fuel-cell stacks

A Fuel Cell Separates the Hydrogen Atoms’ Electrons from Their Protons Fig , p. 427

Trade-Offs: Hydrogen, Advantages and Disadvantages Fig , p. 428

Science Focus: The Quest to Make Hydrogen Workable Bacteria and algae can produce hydrogen through biodegrading organic material Use electricity from renewable energy sources to produce hydrogen Storage options for hydrogen

16-9 How Can We Make the Transition to a More Sustainable Energy Future? Concept 16-9 We can make the transition to a more sustainable energy future if we greatly improve energy efficiency, use a mix of renewable energy resources, and include environmental costs in the market prices of all energy resources.

Choosing Energy Paths (1) How will energy policies be created? Hard energy path Soft energy path

Choosing Energy Paths (2) General conclusions Gradual shift to smaller, decentralized micropower systems Transition to a diverse mix of locally available renewable energy resources Improved energy efficiency Fossil fuels will still be used in large amounts Natural gas is the best choice

Solutions: Decentralized Power System Fig , p. 430

Solutions: Making the Transition to a More Sustainable Energy Future Fig , p. 431

Economics, Politics, Education, and Sustainable Energy Resources Government strategies: Keep the prices of selected energy resources artificially low to encourage their use Keep energy prices artificially high for selected resources to discourage their use Consumer education

What Can you Do? Shifting to More Sustainable Energy Use Fig , p. 432

Three Big Ideas 1.We should evaluate energy resources on the basis of their potential supplies, how much net useful energy they provide, and the environmental impacts of using them. 2.Using a mix of renewable energy sources— especially solar, wind, flowing water, sustainable biofuels, and geothermal energy—can drastically reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity losses.

Three Big Ideas 3.Making the transition to a more sustainable energy future will require sharply reducing energy waste, using a mix of environmentally friendly renewable energy resources, and including the harmful environmental costs of energy resources in their market prices.